Software piracy cut could create $240m for UAE

The UAE could gain an additional $240 million in economic growth, and add 710 IT jobs if it could reduce software piracy rates by 10%, according to the Business Software Alliance and IDC.

According to a new study based on IDC's Piracy Impact Model (PIM), the Emirates would benefit considerably if it could take software piracy from its current level of 35% (from 2006) to 25% over the next four years.

A software piracy rate of 25% would put the UAE on a par with North America, and would also result in an additional $40 million in tax revenue.

HE Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi, Undersecretary - Planning Sector, UAE Ministry of Economy, commented: "Our concerted efforts in combating piracy have delivered significant positive results to the economy, particularly the sustained growth of the IT sector. The Ministry of Economy agrees with the report produced by BSA and IDC pointing out the critical importance of further lowering the UAE's piracy rate, which will be a significant step towards achieving sustainable levels of development in the future."